We have recently completed this modest rear extension to the back of a small cottage in the middle of a conservation area.  The Client’s brief was to move the kitchen to the back of the house so that it was better connected to the large back garden. The Clients are keen gardeners, but the house felt very separated from the garden by the change in levels and the narrow gap between the sunken patio and the garden.

The rear extension replaced a small and very basic blockwork extension in a small yard / rear patio. The site was challenging because it is North facing, the floor level was about 1m lower than the garden, and the patio was flanked on both sides by a neighbour – one of which is listed. The site could also only be accessed on foot – down a long footpath at the back or through the front of the house.

The solution involved completely filling the rear patio space, using the existing boundary walls as the outer leaf of the new building. Inside the boundary walls we designed a timber frame building (lightweight and no machinery involved) which is clad in zinc.  The form of the building was made by pushing right out to the edges of the space available, and the roof form was designed to allow some south facing glazing, and to retain views of the garden from the existing bedroom windows.

Status – Recently Completed 

Contract value – confidential

Design Team – Format Engineers

Main Contractor – Wraxall Builders